Your voice and participation in the annual process are critical to developing a responsible city budget
By EMMA BOUTHILLETTE | Special to the Gazette
Since I just explained this in brief to a friend who is leaning into her civic engagement, I thought I’d share this with the readers of the Biddeford Gazette because the budget process can seem daunting.
The municipal budget season starts in Biddeford with the city budget overview, presented by the City Manager. Then the superintendent presents the school department budget. And finally, municipal and social services present their budgetary requests. Then, City Council has back-to-back meetings with city department heads.
Are you bored yet?
I’m sure you are. As a former reporter, I’ve sat in on various municipal budget meetings, and give city councils of past, present and future a lot of credit for the tedium that is going through budgets line by line, and balancing city needs with the real impact a budget has on the city’s taxpayers.
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WHAT DO OUR BUDGETS LOOK LIKE?
The proposed city budget, with new programs and staffing, represents a potential 12.5 percent increase over last year’s budget for a grand total of $53,712,381.
The proposed school budget represents a 6.86 percent increase over FY 26, for a grand total of $53,245,966.51. The school budget alone would reflect a 3.87 percent increase in the tax rate.
The key word above is “proposed.”
The proposed school budget represents a 6.86 percent increase over FY 26, for a grand total of $53,245,966.51. The school budget alone would reflect a 3.87 percent increase in the tax rate.
So now it is your chance to weigh in. Yes, you. The same person who will be complaining come July about your property taxes going up. And you, the non-complainers, the renters and business owners. Pretty much anyone who benefits from city services can speak up — in favor of or against all or any part of the budget.
IMPORTANT DATES
The FY 2027 Budget has its first public hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, at Biddeford City Hall in the City Council Chambers.
The second public hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, also in council chambers.
Then on Tuesday, June 9, the same day of the 2026 Primary Election when we’re slated to vote along party lines for candidates running for various county, state and federal offices, you will also have a chance to either approve or reject the Biddeford school budget.
HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR OPINION HEARD?
You can attend the public hearings in person and speak directly to the decision makers.
When you step up to speak, you’ll be expected to start by stating your name and the ward you live in or your vested interest in Biddeford.
If you’re not a fan of public speaking or have other commitments during meeting times, then you can write to your city councilor (don’t know who that is, figure out your ward and then identify who represents that ward).
Their city emails are listed, or you can use the Online Contact Form.
By the way, you can write to your city councilors anytime. They want to hear from their constituents.
VOTE AND STAY ENGAGED
Please don’t forget to vote in the 2026 Primary Election on June 9 (it’s a really important election, as every election is).
So, now you can’t say you didn’t know. This is your warning, and your reminder, it happens every year (just like Easter…the dates vary slightly, but it’s always in this general March/April time frame).
Take the time now to review budget documents and collect your thoughts. Exercise your right to express your opinion to an audience who is making decisions (not your Facebook friends after decisions are made).
Everything you need to know about the FY27 budget can be found here: Biddefordmaine.org/fy27budget
ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Emma Bouthillette is a marketer, writer, yoga instructor, corgi mom, and native of Biddeford, Maine. In addition to publishing A Brief History of Biddeford with The History Press in 2017, her byline has appeared in the Portland Press Herald, Maine Women Magazine and several other Maine-based publications.
The Gazette encourages reader feedback and participation. Go here, if you would like to submit a letter to the editor; or contact us about ways to share your feedback.
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